Tuesday, July 26, 2011

This weekend, July 29-31, Su Beng will be in Houston, Texas for the Taiwanese American Association Summer Conference- South.

On August 7th Su Beng will be in San Jose and speaking at the Taiwanese American Center at 2:00 pm. There will be a dinner held for him at the Dynasty Seafood Restaurant at 7:00 pm. Click here for full details.

Then, on August 14th Su Beng will be at the Taiwan Center in Rosemead, CA from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. The event will be an up close and personal town-hall style meeting/discussion with Su Beng. Click here for full details.

Somewhere in the midst of all this Su Beng will be stopping by in Seattle as well!

Finally, after this whirlwind of weekend events, and returning from a weekend in the DC area with Su Beng late on Monday, I've found some time to post a few photos from the Revolutionary in New York event that I hosted on Friday, July 22, 2011. I will write up a post with my thoughts on the event soon, but first here are some photos that captured the event.

Special thanks to Lisa Tan who shot these photos with my camera during the event.

Su Beng was the first to arrive of course!

Copies of the English version of Su Beng's book, Taiwan's 400 Year History, were available for sale. The book is self-published and therefore not that readily available.

Sneaking a bite to eat before all the event goes into full swing.

People are slowly getting seated.

It was a full house.

Anticipation is mounting.

Where is the translator?! I'm frantically trying to look up his cell number here.

Quick change in plans. Talking to the stand in translator.

Ed Lin, emcee of the night starts off the event.

Finally the main event has started with my opening remarks.

Reading an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan.

The translator, Professor Ching Lee has arrived.

My opening questions for Su Beng.

The autograph line during intermission.

Grinning and bearing it through the heat during the intermission with Victoria Linchong, filmmaker of the documentary Almost Home: Taiwan

The second part of the event: Audience Q&A with Su Beng is about to get started.

It was so hot in that I was trying to fan myself and Su Beng.

Some people submitted their questions for Su Beng using Vibe, the iPhone app.

Victoria Linchong introduces her film Almost Home: Taiwan.

With Su Beng and Professor Ching Lee, the event translator.

In this photo: a volunteer from the event, two members of Su Beng's team- who are from Taiwan and are traveling with him around the US, Su Beng, and Mrs. Kang- who was hosting Su Beng in New Jersey

Sunday, July 24, 2011

The second public event for Su Beng in Boston, organized by the local FAPA-YPG, took place on Sunday, July 17 at Harvard University. The gathering was attended by students, young professionals, and local members of the community, making it truly a cross-generational meeting of the minds.

Su Beng spoke about how his experiences in Japan and China shaped his own identity and prompted him to embark on the long, and sometimes lonely, fight for Taiwan's independence. As one attendee later put it, ironically, “Su Beng found Taiwan in China.” Su Beng shared his interpretation of Taiwanese Nationalism: Taiwan and its citizens have evolved together through history, and developed their own culture along with collective economic and political interests. He has written about and frequently discussed this concept for decades. Su Beng believes that this self-awareness, understanding and acceptance of Taiwanese Nationalism will lead to Taiwan’s independence, given that Taiwanese people unite and stand firm to safeguard Taiwan’s interests.

During the Q&A sessions, several interesting questions prompted equally dynamic answers from Su Beng. When asked what he would say to President Ma, a former student at Harvard many years ago, Su Beng responded, “Ma should really explain his relationship with China.” Su Beng, 92, called Ma’s recent self-declaration on facebook, “I am a descendant of the Yellow Emperor in blood and I identify with Taiwan in terms of my identity. I fight for Taiwan and I am Taiwanese,” totally archaic, and said that the concept of lineage only befits a feudal system and is of no relevance in multicultural modern Taiwan.

Su Beng’s staunch belief in Marxism prompted a lively exchange. One attendee questioned how Su Beng could continue to call himself a Marxist after witnessing the brutal acts by the Chinese Communist Party firsthand. Another in the audience asked Su Beng whether he wants to see Taiwan eventually become a Marxist society. Before the questions could get completely translated for Su Beng, others in the audience jumped in with their thoughts. The discussion was cut short and resumed after the event and through dinner. In the end, those involved all agreed that the differences in opinion arose mainly from different interpretations of “Su Beng’s Marxism.” It seemed that Su Beng holds the theoretical view of Marxism very close to his heart, but at the same time he disapproves of the dictatorships that have historically grown out of Marxist beliefs.

Although I did not partake in this particular discussion, just sitting next to Su Beng at the time gave me much to think about. He sat, calm and composed, took everything in, and then insisted on clarifying his take on Marxism in his own deliberate, logical, matter-of-fact way. I watched and wondered how many times had he faced similar questions and even sharper criticism on his ideology before. It is almost certain that the “Marxist” label would not go far in winning friends in today’s world, let alone in Taiwan a few decades ago. Su Beng, however, held firmly to his convictions through the years and never gave them up. In his frail, slouching figure, I saw a quiet resolve that must also have been the driving force behind his decades of tireless toiling to free Taiwan from what he calls “a colonial regime.” Perhaps that inner strength is best embodied at the end of his speech, when he proclaimed, with full passion and confidence, that “Taiwan WILL BE INDEPENDENT!”

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tonight Su Beng will be appearing at the New York Taiwan Center and I'll be there! Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it out to New Jersey earlier this week to meet with him. I will be in D.C. this weekend for the gathering that FAPA-YPG-Washington D.C. has planned for him on Sunday, July 24th. And then he's off to Houtson to attend the TAA-South Summer Camp (Houston, TX) from July 29 - July 31, and back to San Jose and Los Angeles, before returning to Taiwan.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Last weekend Su Beng visited the Boston area and spent time with various Boston area Taiwanese groups and individuals.

In particular, he spent time discussing Taiwan's need for national identity, Taiwan's history, politics and his own life's experiences. It was a rare opportunity to listen to a man who was an actual living piece of history and had jumped right into the thick of things on his own and got involved. Rather then just being a talker, he was and is a doer as well. This 92-year old Taiwanese revolutionary has lived quite the romantic and fascinating life full of intrigue, conflict and vibrancy... much like Taiwan itself in many ways.

At one point he was a communist spy working for the CCP in China against the Japanese (as he felt then that Japan was trying to conquer all of Asia), later he saw the horrors of the CCP first-hand and quickly left China to return back to Taiwan, at another point he plotted to actually assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek because of all the horrors the KMT was visiting upon the Taiwanese people in their homeland. Later he fled to Japan and only returned back to Taiwan in the 1990's.

Listening to him speak was an emotional roller-coaster ride for me personally full of conflict as he is still a committed Marxist in his ideology. I did rather sharply try to challenge him on this ideology and its long sad history. Slowly, however, I came to discover that beyond the simple label "Marxist" he is quite the humanitarian and a staunch defender of human rights and liberty. To Su Beng's good credit he believes that the grave mistakes of Stalin, Lenin, Mao, Pol Pot and others do not necessarily diminish the original good ideals that Marx had to offer.

How can all this possibly fit? I'm not certain, but maybe one explanation works like this: Perhaps back when he was younger he fell in love with the unobtainable utopian text book ideals of Marxism and this beautiful dream for him left its mark on his heart and somehow motivated and activated him to seek to do good in the face of oppression. His was a time of extreme violence in a world inflamed by war and oppression by foreign domination in Taiwan so real, that violence and murder were constant daily events. In this context, it is possible that it may be very challenging for us today to look back and understand exactly with proper clarity...

Kennedy once said: "If you make peaceful change impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable."

Whether one agrees or not with everything Su Beng says or did in his long colorful life; one thing is crystal clear and that is his consistent strong love for a free and independent Taiwan. For him, and on this point I heartily agree, Taiwanese can have no peace and freedom so long as they are ruled by anyone else. Maybe in this murky world, such as it is, this is a pretty good starting point and maybe the most important one after all so long as it is done with a good heart and compassion. The differences and fine points, maybe just that...

In closing it was an amazing time spent with an old guard of Taiwan's resistance to domination and foreign control. He is an amazingly honest, direct individual who will challenge you and often say what you may not like to hear, but in the end you never doubt that he is real, sincere and full of compassion for the building of the Nation of Taiwan. This quality alone is truly stellar and is much needed in a Taiwan that may feel more apathetic and fail to see the dangers that are poised to destroy them once again from the likes of a new KMT and CCP banded together to deny Taiwanese their rights to freedom, liberty and the independent nation-state they so richly deserve.

Thanks for reading and get to learn more about this interesting Taiwanese historical figure and judge for yourself. He is a published author of a mammoth book which details Taiwan's last 400-years of history. He is a character unlike any other I have ever met; part revolutionary, part dreamer, part romantic idealist but all 100% heart and soul for Taiwan.

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Disclaimer: My purpose for writing this piece here about Su Beng is to support Taiwan's right for full and complete nationhood and independence. While I admire and like many aspects of Su Beng and respect him, I do not support Marxism.

Monday, July 18, 2011

How apropos that the event organized by TAA/FAPA/NATWA of Boston, MA was held at the Lexington Depot, which is operated by the Lexington Historical Society.

See what a warm reception that Su Beng received upon his arrival:

The event began with some projected images and videos of Su Beng:

The main organizer of the event, CY Wang had asked me in advance if I would like to introduce myself and to say a few words about my work on Su Beng's biography. So I had prepared a few thoughts. And on that day, though we had never met before, Mr. Wang gave me a very warm introduction acknowledging all of the time and hard work and that I've spent on documenting Su Beng's life. It was really the first time that anyone has so publicly expressed their appreciation for what I'm doing and it was such a great feeling to be given recognition like this. It warmed my heart and I felt so welcomed that I was able to deliver my little "speech" entirely in Taiwanese! I surprised myself even- that I was actually able to do this!

One thing that I shared with the audience is how I had not initially set out to write Su Beng's biography. In fact, when I initially approached Su Beng, I had asked him if I could simply interview him in order to write a fictional story (about Taiwan) inspired by his life experiences. His answer to this was simply, "Yes, ok, if it's for the good of Taiwan." To me it was pretty amazing that he would agree to talk to me and give his time to me, if he believed that I was doing something for the good of Taiwan. I was "a nobody", i.e. I wasn't an established writer or anyone of influence. Now, there's certainly more that I could say about Su Beng and the time I've spent interviewing him and working with him on his biography, but I think I'll save that for the epilogue.

Su Beng talked about his decision to go to China and work for the Chinese Communists in 1942. Growing up during Japan's occupation Taiwan, the seeds of opposition towards Japan were sowed in Su Beng and later his study of socialism and Marxism at Waseda University deepened his resolve to fight against Japan's imperialistic expansion in Asia. The answer to him at the time seemed to be to go work with the Chinese Communists to resist Japan's rising ambition to conquer Asia.

As he worked with the Chinese Communists over the next few years he was given new assignments and more responsibilities, but in order to advance he'd have to officially join the party and there was increasing pressure put upon him to do so. Su Beng talked about how he had seen the hypocrisy and brutality of the Chinese Communists by then, and that he had resolved that he would not join the party, so he made excuses to put off joining the Chinese Communist party. And eventually he found a way to escape from the Communists and out of China.

Su Beng also talked about his optimistic outlook on Taiwan. He believes that Taiwan will most certainly be independent. He cites the growing numbers of people in Taiwan who now identify themselves as Taiwanese and not Chinese. He believes that as long as there is a growing solidarity amongst the people of Taiwan (regardless of their ancestry e.g. Hakka, Holo, Han Chinese or Aborigine) and a general acceptance of a Taiwan nation, then independence for Taiwan will surely follow.

RSVP: Eileen Lin, elin@ypg.fapa.org by Friday, July 22nd. Please indicate if you need a ride from Medical Center Metro stop

FAPA-YPG invites you to join us in welcoming Su Beng (史明) to the DC area. Please RSVP early as space is limited!

Mr. Su Beng, the author of “Taiwan 400 Years of History”, has devoted his entire life to pursuing a free and independent Taiwan. This is his first visit to the U.S. since he returned to Taiwan almost 20 years ago. The legendary 92-year old Taiwan independence theorist and activist is still optimistic about Taiwan’s future. This is a rare opportunity for many of us who knew and met him years ago to meet him again here in the U.S. This will be a small group discussion where you can hear Su Beng talk about his experiences during Taiwan's tumultuous history, learn about his vision for Taiwan's future, as well as ask your own questions.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Formosan Association of Public Affairs- Young Professionals Group (FAPA-YPG) of New Jersey and New York will be hosting an afterevent social, the Revolutionary in NY Afterevent SocialWant to continue the discussion, have a drink and socialize with others after the main event? Then join us for some continued lively conversation at:

Revolutionary in NY Afterevent Social

La Lanterna di Vittorio

129 MacDougal St.

10:00 pm

Feel free to join us even if you couldn't make it to the Revolutionary in NY event. Please note that unfortunately, Su Beng will probably not make be able to attend the afterevent social.

**We will need an exact headcount for the afterevent social by Wednesday, July 20, since reservations special have been made, which will be subject to penalties for no shows. Please RSVP for the afterevent social at: subeng.biographer@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

An up close and personal town-hall style meeting/discussion with Su Beng, light deserts & refreshments will be provided. No admission is required, cash donation to FAPA YPG LA/OC Chapter is strongly encouraged at the door.

The reception and interest from the Taiwanese American community in organizing meetings and gatherings with Su Beng during his current US visit has been incredible! I'd like to thank everyone who has reached out to me to arrange the various meetings and gatherings with Su Beng in their respective cities. In addition to New York and New Jersey, Boston, DC and LA are all organizing gatherings and events with Su Beng. Announcements from their organizers will be forthcoming soon.

FAPA-YPG Washington DC is planning a gathering for Su Beng on July 24th.

FAPA-YPG in Los Angeles, CA is planning a town hall style meeting with Su Beng at the Taiwan Center on August 14th.

I myself am looking forward to finally reconnecting with Su Beng myself- this weekend up in the Boston area!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Join fellow students and young professionals on Sunday, July 17th, to engage in a cross-generation dialogue with Su Beng. Mr. Su Beng, 92, has been a life-long political activist for Taiwan, and is on his first visit to the US in almost 20 years. He also authored the book, Taiwan's 400 Year History.

Catch this exceptional opportunity for a discussion with Su Beng. Hear Su Beng talk about his experiences during Taiwan's tumultuous history, and learn about his vision for Taiwan's future.

Su Beng, the author of “Taiwan 400 Years of History”, has devoted his entire life to pursuing a free and independent Taiwan. This is his first visit to the U.S. since he returned to Taiwan almost 20 years ago. The legendary 92-year old Taiwan independence theorist and activist is still optimistic about Taiwan’s future. This is a rare opportunity for many of us who met him years ago to be reunited with him here in the U.S. We will conduct a series of events to welcome him (see below for details). Please register with us early for this wonderful occasion.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

I discovered this video on www.taiwan.us.net about Su Beng. The video also briefly goes into the early struggles of the Taiwanese against a string of colonial rulers. It is narrated in Taiwanese and seems to have quite a bit of archival footage.

Click here to see another video of a report on Su Beng done in January 2010 by a local television station in Taiwan. I've seen it before but haven't posted it here.

Once you get clicking, you'll see that there are other videos out there about Su Beng and Taiwan on YouTube.

The $5 door fee includes a signed poster that is a replica of the cover of the English-language version of Taiwan’s 400 Year History by Su Beng. In addition, a limited number of books will be available for purchase and signing. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Su Beng Education Foundation, which supports Su’s independence activities in Taiwan. The event is sponsored by Formosan Association for Public Affairs Young Professional Group (FAPA-YPG) of New York and New Jersey.

Catch this rare opportunity to hear Su Beng, a 92 year old revolutionary Marxist from Taiwan talk about his life with his biographer, yours truly, Felicia Lin. Formerly an undercover Chinese Communist agent, and would be assassin of Chiang Kai-shek, Su Beng is here from Taiwan on his first visit to the U.S. in nearly 20 years. He is best known for his lifelong work for Taiwan independence and as the author of Taiwan's 400 Year of History. Hear the true tales of his time in China, his thoughts on the Kuomintang authorities in Taiwan, his years of exile in Japan (1952-1993), his continued activism in Taiwan and his previous U.S. cross country adventures.

Schedule:

6:30pm Registration and check-in7:00pm Opening remarks7:30pm Reading of an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan: The Memoirs of Su Beng- a work still in progress8:00pm Discussion/talk between Su Beng and his biographer, Felicia Lin8:30pm Audience Q&A with Su Beng (translation will be provided)9:00pm Screening of the trailer of documentary film, Almost Home: Taiwan

I will be reading an excerpt from The Conscience of Taiwan: The Memoirs of Su Beng (a work still in progress) and talking with Su Beng about some of his unconventional life decisions. Q&A will follow. Translation will be provided.

The event will conclude with the screening of the trailer for Almost Home: Taiwan, a road-trip documentary on Taiwanese independence and identity. In the film, filmmaker Victoria Linchong unearths her roots and shines a light on the history and culture of an island long at the center of political debate.

About Me

Since 2004 I've been documenting the life of Su Beng- a Taiwanese nonagenarian Marxist revolutionary and lifelong Taiwan independence activist, who spent 7 years working undercover for the Chinese Communists, tried to assassinate Chiang Kai-Shek, and wrote "Taiwan's 400 Years of History." Follow along as I unravel and explain the elusive contradictions of this man's life story. It's my job as Su Beng's biographer to tell this story of one man's idealism, passion, heroism, and humanism. I believe it is a story that will inspire and inform. As a first time biographer, I'll also share some of my reflections on my role as Su Beng's biographer.